Microsoft has taken significant steps to prepare Windows 11 for the demands of AI-intensive applications. With the imminent release of Windows 11 24H2, the company has added hardware compatibility checks that, according to recent revelations, the operating system will inform users about the limitations of their systems. Warnings, in the form of watermarks, will indicate if certain AI applications cannot run due to unsupported processors.
Windows 11, recognized for its adaptability to emerging technologies, brings compatibility with stricter hardware requirements to the fore. These requirements include SSE4.2 and PopCnt, two instruction sets vital to running modern AI-powered applications such as Advanced Copilot and AI File Explorer. Although most processors compatible with Windows 11 already include these instructions, Microsoft insists on this compliance to ensure optimal performance and safety when using AI-based applications.
Windows 11 has also revealed that the next update will include technologies such as Super Resolution DirectX AI, thus reinforcing Microsoft's commitment to improve the visual and gaming experience on its platform. However, the use of these advanced features will be restricted on systems that do not meet the new hardware requirements.
Windows 11 will have an Official Update from Microsoft with New Important Features
Windows 11 Insider Build 26200 was reviewed to evaluate the integration of AI requirements. This investigation revealed that the build requires a processor with the appropriate instructions and a minimum of 16GB of memory. Even in the case of the ARM64 processor, Microsoft was found to have implemented hardware compatibility verification methods, a step deemed necessary to maintain the integrity of the operating system.
Looking at bits present in insider build 26200, AI Explorer indeed checks these requirements and if they aren't met, a warning will be present in its overlays. You can however skip the check altogether by disabling ID 48486440. This only disables AIX making the check, not the API https://t.co/XmnjzCZqEw
— Albacore ☁️ (@thebookisclosed) April 22, 2024
Microsoft, while adding these checks, continues to be criticized for its user interface and system performance decisions. The addition of advertisements to the Start menu in the form of "recommendations" and restrictions on interface customization have been points of debate among the user and enthusiast community.
Microsoft seems determined to move forward with innovations that ensure optimal compatibility between users' hardware and the software requirements of Windows 11. This strategy could redefine how Windows 11 will be perceived and used in the age of AI, setting new standards for what it means an adaptable and powerful operating system. Industry watchers and users will have to wait and see how these changes develop in practice and what the long-term effects of these innovations will be.